The Hindu : RWAs up in arms over CAS

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 21, 2003

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RWAs up in arms over CAS

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI DEC. 20. It is not only South Delhi that is crying hoarse over the introduction of the controversial Conditional Access System (CAS) regime but even the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) of other parts of Delhi have protested against its becoming operational in their areas under uncertain circumstances. The protests have become more vocal as was evident at the three-day Bhagidari Workshop held by the Delhi Government on waste management.

In fact, the Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, has been flooded with protests from various RWAs and welfare groups regarding the vague manner in which CAS was being introduced. The anger of residents and their representatives was in full flow at the workshop when a majority of RWAs took strong offence to the imposition of CAS and the exploitation of consumers at the hands of the unscrupulous cable operators. Many RWAs felt that instead of catering to the interests of consumers, the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry was hand in glove with cable operators for implementation of the system.

"I have sought time with the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ravi Shanakar Prasad. He is not in the Capital and would be returning back on Monday. I will put forth the sentiments of these RWAs that are not limited to South Delhi alone but spread to West and East Delhi including the Walled City areas. The entire population of Delhi is at its wits end over the CAS regime and there has been no effort to remove their misgivings. The questions remain the same but there is no one to give answers,'' Ms. Dikshit informed.

Stating that the Delhi Government was helping in creating awareness about CAS on the orders of the High Court, the Chief Minister said she had received a reply to her letter from Mr. Prasad but the doubts still remain. No effort has been made to address issues relating to the common man and the financial implications involved in this system. In addition, when there is already a talk of Direct-to-Home (DTH) system hitting the markets by early next year, then what was the hurry to push CAS through, she asked.

Interestingly, majority of the RWAs have asked their residents to adopt a wait and watch policy over the issue keeping in mind the uncertainty over its implementation.

Many of the RWA representatives said it was unfortunate that Delhi had been chosen for introduction of the system on an experimental basis when this could have been done in a small city before hitting the metros. Another cause for concern is the rising monthly subscription bill for consumers despite assurances by the Ministry that no such thing would happen. "It is a common thing for any household to have two TV sets. Now they will not only have to buy two set top boxes but also pay the subscription fee for two TV sets. This will impose a big financial burden on the middle and working class as well as those living in the JJ clusters. No thought has gone into this. The consumers were well off with the present system that was reliable and less cumbersome,'' remarked a representative of Walled City RWA.

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